Inside the Institute

This Month in Good Housekeeping's History

Curious how mothers motivated their children to stay tidy in
the 1800s? Think home-cooked meals haven’t changed much in the past century? Is the awareness of the harmful effects of excessive sun exposure is a recent phenomenon?
Check out the excerpts below from Good
Housekeeping’s July issue… 125 years ago, 100 years ago, and 75 years ago.

JULY 1888

“With careful and constant example and now and then a warm
word of approval these little homemakers of the next generation soon take
healthy pride in keeping their dainty dresses and wraps neatly shaken out,
turned on their linings and carefully hung or folded away from clinging lint
and sifting dust. Give them pretty boxes for their prized, lace-trimmed aprons
and dainty collars and bonnets; an elaborately embroidered shoe bag for the
smart little button boots and leggings, and these little folks soon learn to delight
in keeping their corner of mamma’s wardrobe in neatest order.”

-From “The Children of the Household: Teaching Them the Care of Chambers of Clothing,” by Clarissa Potter

JULY 1913

Breakfast on a Saturday:

Stewed rhubarb

Minced lamb on toast

Biscuits

Coffee

Luncheon on a Tuesday:

Sardine rabbit

Olives

Buttered scones

Tea

Sunday Supper, with Company:

Salmon (canned) salad with peas

Lettuce sandwiches

Ginger ale and mint punch

-From “What to Eat in July,” by Bertha E. Shapleig

JULY 1938

“Many seem to fail to realize that a severe sunburn is a
very serious health menace. A burn means that skin cells have been destroyed,
that the protective layer of the body has been injured, and the path for
poison’s entry into the body has been opened. Many also fail to realize that as
little as five minutes of exposure may make the difference between healthful
exposure and burn. Be moderate in your use of sun. Do not take a chance of evil
effects by being in too much hurry to get that tanned skin... Let’s meet
Nature’s requirement and make good use of July and August sun.”

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